“I think I model my life on Home Alone. I want to have crazy fun and get into scrapes. .”
—Carey Mulligan

“If you’re walking down the street in L.A., people do sort of look at you like you’re a hooker because it’s so rare to see someone just walking.”
—Carey Mulligan

(interviewmagazine.com)

Carey Mulligan in one of my favorite “style-icon’s-in-the-making.” Seeing her with a freshly cropped pixie cut, brings to mind a vision of Edie Sedgwick. Always immaculately “turned out,” I look forward to seeing her wardrobe choices. She appears in this group of “water-color tinged” photos, as a young innocent, while very much aware of herself, there’s an air of humility

LINK LOVE:Carey Mulligan for Interview Magazine

Join TheyEnvy.Us to Add Your Own Stories to FashionIndie.com

This site works in many ways with one intention: to create a community for handbag lovers!

You can submit, write, and vote on your favorite bag.. or search for a bag that suits your style and personality. Handbaggers.com allows you to check out the details about the bag and find a place to buy it.. fabulous!

Definitely check out this site.

FI: How did you decide to come to New York over staying in France to pursue a career in Fashion?
CK: I came to NY because I met a very nice man ( my current husband, Andrew) in the south of France. I decided to come check out the city and instantly I got amazed by people’s outfits, just people on the streets dressing freely, you don’t see that in France, unfortunately. It really was a shock for me but I didn’t decide to do fashion immediately, it incubated in me for a long while… I started first to dress a little more crazy, then more and more. Meanwhile, I happened to have a close friend who was also a very good designer who hired me for a couple of jobs. She really developed my sense of fashion, from crazy to feminine, and creative. “De fil en aiguille” I started to make my own creations, my own patterns, I wanted to do a ton of things but not really designing, I thought I couldn’t.

Then a friend told me about etsy… and it was EXACTLY what I needed! I gave it a try and after a while, in something like 4 months, it started to work. I have been living happily ever after, I sell everything I make, customers are really happy, I get a lot of friendly supporting messages and feedback. I had to adapt myself to the internet and learn a lot, but now, things are smoother.

FI: What is your process in creating a piece?
CK: I like working with my hands, I like independence, I like handmade, home-cooking, small, unique, I try to be responsible for what I do, I am not a control freak but I like good results.

FI: How did you decide on producing one of a kind pieces rather than mass-marketing them

CK: I am actually looking right now to get some of my pieces made: anyone interested?!!!

FI:It’s amazing that you do custom made orders, how did you decide on that?
CK: Custom orders are great because I like to give form to people’s wishes, they are just more work and a lot of interaction with the customer about fabric, style, and details. It is funny too because they have to take their own measurements and sometimes they are all off, so I tell them. Since it is over the internet you really have to make sure that they will be happy with the result.

FI: Both your apparel and accessories are beautiful, do you prefer to make one over the other?
CK: I don’t have any preferences doing accessories versus clothing, I like to make furnitures and objects too. Anything that I can get my hands on.

FI: As a designer, what do you want your line to represent?
CK: Well, tough question. I want my line to represent who I am. I am only trying to show off the best of me though.

Adding to our series of the Inter-Views of Fashion, we spoke to Matt Levine of Steelo; discussing concepts, the process of producing a collection, skills of being a designer, and his future goals.

FI: What is the concept behind your s/s 08 collection?

ML: The concept behind Fall 08 is the attitude of New York City, influence of Los Angeles, and creativity of Japan, from the Lowest East Side to Wall Street, from the Board Room to the VIP room. I wanted to create clean sleek traditional styles using quality Japanese fabrics, but also having unique conceptual detailing. The Steelo customer is an educated consumer, they feel quality and see detail, it’s important that I pay close attention every to every aspect, of every handcrafted piece.

FI:How long does it take you to complete a collection: what is your process?

ML: Honestly don’t have a process. I realize what is missing in my closet, what I am looking for, what I am in the mood to wear, and then create garments that I think are currently missing in today’s market, pushing the envelope with a vision and direction in mind. Most of my process is traveling, fusing different cultures, different styles, different looks together – to create Steelo. Steelo is not just threads and needles, it’s a lifestyle, and my creative process is influenced by that. Steelo is a niche brand, creating direction, creating the vision, opposing of what other brands are currently doing right now in the marketplace.

FI: As a designer, what do you think the most important skill to have is?

ML: As a designer, I think the greatest tool is being a leader, but a confident leader. Confident in creation, leading the customer to believe in your designs, believe in your product over your label.

FI: What are your goals for the future?

ML: To blur the line between brand and lifestyle.

For more from his collection, check out www.steelo.us

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Women who prefer michael kors are more likely to appreciate the work of paul frank rather than prada. The latter will be similar to the taste of those who like valentino.

Vivienne Westwood … WHY!? JUST WHY!? A SKIRT!? A GOLD METALLIC SKIRT!? .. and the knee highs.. oh the purple knee highs.

Comme des Garcons .. hot mess.

Denis Simachev. Borat versus leopard. Leopard wins.

Bottega Veneta Pa.na.nana.nana.nana. Can’t touch this.  MC Hammer’s Tuxedo.

More after the jump…

John Galliano … Someone may have watched Pirates of the Carribean a few too many times.

Walter Van Beirendonck … can i shake your hand? No.. not your real hand, the one attached to your headdress

Moncler   One Million Army Men, One Million Ways to look like a douche.

Created by Patty Kerrigan, Lovely People includes an assortment of styles- sandals, pumps, flats, boots. This brand gives a modern look with a vintage twist. Perfect for an individual that loves to have a new look everyday.

Shown above is my personal favorite; Angela – featured in salmon and navy with white lining. Made from silk and patent pu, this summer flat has stitching throughout the fabric giving it a more textured look.

More from Lovely People click here.

A chance meeting by a sublet posting during college, resulted in a temporary living situation which lasted longer than expected.. two years later, Tara and Inessah decided to create an eco-friendly brand.. Sublet Clothing.

I had the pleasure of meeting the designers to talk about their line.

Fashion Indie: How did you both decide to solely use organic material?

Sublet Clothing: (I) Off the bat I knew I wanted to use eco-friendly material. The Green movement being important.. I was always concerned with environmental issues. (T) I was open to the idea, I did a lot of research about it and saw the physical difference between organic cotton and market cotton.

FI: Has fabric ever been an issue with your designs?

SC: Yes, from the very beginning. Fabric is one of the biggest challenges.. there’s limited supply, as well as tracking down resources that are legitimate. We can only use selective items, synthetic fabric cannot be used – we have to be concerned with the process and work around it. It actually encourages us to be innovative. For instance, dying the fabric.. there are many limitations with what’s available to make it beautiful.

FI: How do the both of you design a garment?

SC: We collaborate on ideas and certain esthetics – what direction, trends.. what we like. I (Inessah) do the draping and sketching then we both consult on it; we build and change things together. We want everything to be us and we want it to be evident that we take care of the garment. We want people to want to wear our pieces. Detail is also very important the placement of a zipper or where certain fabric drapes is very important to us. We never make anything we wouldn’t wear. Most of our clothing is catered towards people in their 20s-30s.. We want them to be able to wear our clothing for daily activities, most importantly we want the piece to be comfortable and long term.

FI: What do you want your brand to represent?

SC: Lifestyle, collaborate, creative, transitional, versatile.

FI: What is in store for the future of Sublet Clothing?

SC: Definitely growing as a company. We want to recognize others and support the community..we want full time effort to also support other people. We want to expand our basics and designed collections; adding woven and knits. Most importantly we want to grow into a trustworthy company for the eco-friendly.

Continue reading the interview after the jump…

FI: How did you get into fashion designing?

SC: (I) I actually went to college at Boston University for advertisement but I realized it wasn’t for me. I transfered to a college in Texas and took the fashion design program. I’m lucky that i found something I’m passionate about. (T) I started out undeclared at NYU. I would cut-up t-shirts and make clothes in my room with who ever wanted to do that with me, I actually really enjoyed altering clothing. I was always interested in fashion design but I never had a way to make it into something until Inessah and I collaborated.

Tara: This is actually the first non-job interview.. haha. This is so cliche but anyone who wants to do something, for real.. just do it. Take it one day at a time. Take one challange at a time. You can do it. Do what you want to do.Inessah: What we’re happy about.. we had no clue this is where we would be- you have to figure it out. We compliment each other and hopefully we will just figure it out. We don’t want to regret it. We work around four nights a week with each other, any time we’re not working together- I wish we were! It’s awesome working with my best friend.. it’s creative and challenging. Any reward no matter how big or small is great for us, nothing is better than that.

For more on Sublet Clothing  Click Here

Continuing in our Inter-Views of Fashion series, we sat down with indie designer Shelia Frank and asked her to bestow upon us some insight on the wicked world of fashion. The designer and former intern for Charlotte Ronson gives us some details on her swimwear only Fall collection, designing for pets, and advice on becoming a fashion designer.

Swim 2008

Fashion Indie: For Fall 2008 you decided to focus your collection on swimwear, what was the concept behind the collection?Sheila Frank: I was very inspired by menswear.. Burlesque too! Ball gowns.. Old movies.. but mainly menswear.FI: You said that you like to design with the idea of using past eras, could you elaborate on that?SF: I love old esthetics of simple cuts and classic lines. As well as classic fit; old but modern. I actually have a collection that mixed three eras into one!FI: Many designers find aspects within their design that they focus on, whether it be style, wearablility, or extravagance. What are some important aspects behind your design?SF: Fit is VERY important. For me, it is important to fit every type of person out there- whether your thin or plus size. Volume doesn’t necessarily work for every body type; I like to work for everyone.

Swim 2007

FI: What do you want to accomplish as a designer?SF: I would like to have a line out there, and be in stores! I don’t care if I’m a diva superstar, or if people know my face, I just want people to know my brand and enjoy what they’re wearing.

Looks from Pet Fashion Week, TokyoFI: You recently created pieces for Pet Fashion Week. What was it like designing for our four-legged friends?SF: Well the show was actually in Tokyo! (On January 12 to be specific).. but I couldn’t attend… a stylist on ModelMayhem.com actually asked me to participate! I had designed a flapper era beaded dress.. he wanted me to design four more designs based on that look, then took the collection and paired it with a hat and dog designer! It was such a great experience.FI: Do you have any advice for young designers like yourself?SF: My motto is to believe in yourself. I’ve been thinking that in college, nothing is handed to you unless your born into a rich family ha-ha, just remember to be true to yourself.For more on Sheila Frank, CLICK HERE.

IN continuance with FI’s beloved “the inter-views of fashion”, we decided to speak with designer Bliss Lau on her aspirations, her design aesthetic, and her inspirations.

FI:What is your concept for your latest collection?

BL: I have three current collections: jewelry and my conceptual body jewelry collection is currently a study of the female body. Each piece is meant to isolate one of the most flattering parts of a woman’s figure, I find the clavicle beautiful on all women, many of my pieces draw attention to that area. Alternatively I found tremendous inspiration in the shape of a diamond as well as the connotation of the word diamond as precious, strong, pure and flawless. Belts with a focus on the waist, my objective is to create suggestions of the perfect female shape by drawing lines around the body with leather straps and cut-outs. The Jungle belt (fw08) is a bit of an optical illusion doing just that. Bags as a product which is solely meant to be a container, the project is quite different than dressing a form, I carried over the idea of wrapping the body to wrapping the satchel in the Jungle bag (fw08). With function in mind I created the Anagram collection, a bag that can be worn more than five ways to suit the client. Purely for my own love of circles, the Tootsie bag which is based off of the shape of at Tootsie Roll, it is a functional but unique bag that does not take itself too seriously; in addition I worked the diamond shape into this bag.

FI: How did you decide to solely design accessories?

BL: I suppose I chose to do what I love.

FI: What was your process in creating the ‘Bolero’ in your jewelry collection?

BL: Each piece is meant to isolate one of the most flattering parts of a woman’s figure, the clavicle (as mentioned earlier) is such a beautiful part of all women so many of the items draw attention to that area.

FI: Do you still keep a sketchbook?

BL: Great question. Absolutely, I have about four on-going sketchbooks per collection, one at my studio which I use for most of my ideas, a small one in my purse just in case and two at my respective homes. I use the sketchbook as a tool to capture all of the unexpected,passing beautiful ideas that come from nowhere.

FI: Is there any advice you want to share with upcoming designers?

BL: Don’t listen to them, it’s important to understand the value of constructive criticism but the ‘them’ would be anyone who tells you to change your concept or vision. It is important to stay true to what you foresee your brand and company being, we all have to make compromises but remember that they are all your choice to make.

Bliss Lau was interviewed by Jessica Vuong.

So I know that Jill Stuart isn’t at all “indie” but I thought the collection deserved a write-up.  Even though the full sequence jumpsuit didn’t do it for me, the abundance of girly dresses did; after all Jill IS known for her dresses, and using Lindsey Lohan.

The collection also featured many skirts  that hit right above the knee (not good for girls like me, (5’1”)) but looked amazing on the models (although what doesn’t). Luckily there’s a wide variety of pieces that could satisfy any Stuart fan, each piece raves sophistication and a confident attitude.

I really admire the mixture of fabrics;  Stuart isn’t afraid to mix and match (sequences, velvet, matelasse…) and everything goes with a great pair of knee hight slouchy boots.

It is easy to see that Benz has an edge, a very tomboyish feel, yet still manages to make comfortable fitting clothing.  What every girl wants, stylish yet wearable! This collection also features beautifully draped dresses, with a flirty femininity.  A favorite of mine has to be the gray satin mini dress, it has just enough ruffles to make it have that extra umph.

Known for unconventional mixing, this season he mixes orange fur with a pastel colored jacket…totally genius!

Visit Syle for more of his fall 2008 collection.

We are inviting you to join Fashion Indie Media at the 2008 Women’s Leadership & Innovation Conference on February 9^th at the Grand Hyatt New York! Fashion Indie Media will be featured as a community partner at the conference. This conference is a leadership development and business/career networking opportunity for entrepreneurs, managers, executives, and professionals across business, finance, media, consulting, technology, non-profits, and all entrepreneurial ventures!

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS INCLUDE:
* MARSHA FIRESTONE – President & Founder, WOMEN PRESIDENTS ORGANIZATION
* KIM SLICKLEIN – CEO & Founder, ENCLAVE RISING, international entrepreneur & “green” real estate developer
* CARLA HARRIS – Managing Director, Head of Equity Private Placements & Global Capital Markets, MORGAN STANLEY
* SALLY DURDAN – CFO, Retail Financial Services, JPMORGAN CHASE
* RACHEL MAYANJA – Assistant Secretary General for Gender & Advancement of Women, UNITED NATIONS
* AURORA RUBIN – Global Chief Ethics Officer, DELOITTE TOUCHE TOHMATSU
* JOANNE CREIGHTON – President, MOUNT HOLYOKE COLLEGE
* FREADA KAPOR KLEIN – Founder, LEVEL PLAYING FIELD INSTITUTE
* SARANNE ROTHBERG – CEO & Founder, COMEDY CURES FOUNDATION, named by Oprah as one of Top 100 Most Inspiring People!

YOUR SPECIAL DISCOUNT:
We are offering the women in the Fashion Indie Media network, a $200 discount off of the $495 registration fee.

Please use the Special Discount Code: COMMSDP081 when you REGISTER.
Please sign up soon, as registration is capped, and will close when the cap is reached.

The registration fee covers the entire program, together with breakfast, lunch, and a closing cocktail networking reception. The conference program includes:
* Inspiring Keynotes. CEO Dialogues. Industry Career Networking.
* Case Studies. Insightful Panels. Instructive Workshops.
* Cross-Industry Networking Forums. Women Entrepreneurs’ Expo.
* Breakfast, Luncheon & Closing General Assemblies.
* Over 40 inspiring women leaders speaking at the event!

ATTENDEES:
Registered attendees include women who are leading, managing, and growing at all levels – Partners, VPs, Directors, CEOs, Associates, business leaders, business owners, non-profit leaders! Attendees are coming from numerous companies across a range of industries, including: Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan, Morgan Stanley, Credit Suisse, Merrill Lynch, Deutsche Bank, BNP Paribas, Ernst & Young, McKinsey, Deloitte, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Accenture, Microsoft, Google, Yahoo, IBM, Hewlett Packard, Simpson Thacher, Sullivan & Cromwell, Cleary Gottlieb, NBC, Showtime Networks, HBO, Time Warner, Global Fund for Women, and from many startup and entrepreneurial ventures!

Corporate sponsors include Microsoft, Goldman Sachs, and top companies, as well as several women-owned companies!

CONFERENCE DETAILS:
When: Saturday, February 9, 2008
Where: Grand Hyatt, 42nd St., New York City
Time: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Web: http://www.womensphere.com /womenlead2008
Profiles on some of the Conference Speakers:
http://www.womensphere.com /womenlead2008/speakers.htm

WHY YOU SHOULD COME:
You’re probably really busy – but we hope some of these will be valuable to you:
* Business development opportunities for your enterprise

* Connections with women leaders & entrepreneurs across top organizations & industries
* Inspiration, empowerment, and a supportive community of women leaders
* Opportunities to build new business, partnerships, collaboration & deals
* Sharing & learning about success strategies, best practices, knowledge & insights

Last but not least – it’s important for women leaders like us to support, mentor, and inspire other women. So if you are mentoring or managing women, or have friends/colleagues/women in your team who might find this event beneficial, please do extend the invitation to them as well. We also have a great track for women entrepreneurs (startup financing/angel investing, VC financing, entrepreneurial marketing).

The organizers of this event, Womensphere Interactive Networks, have created an event in which they hope you will be dazzled and inspired in learning about and sharing exciting new ventures and innovations that women are creating in the world. We hope you can come and join us!

Have a great week and all the best.

Busie Matsiko

Chief Executive Officer
Fashion Indie Media
Fashionably Independent, LLC

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